Wednesday, November 9, 2011

I'M OFFICIALLY A FINE ARTS MAJOR!

I need some reassurance right about now. I recently made a big change in my life. I changed my major from Advertising to Fine Arts. As happy as I am to be in a major I love, I am terrified I won’t be able to find a job once I graduate! I know these classes will enhance and improve my skills and my confidence as an aspiring artist.

I just wish someone in my family could relate to me. My dad is in Law, my mom worked in the medical field and now Law, and my brother and sister are accountants. I can’t relate to them at all.

I actually just got off the phone with my dad and he asked me, “So what kind of jobs can you get with a fine arts major?” That’s the problem, I’m not really sure. I have a go with the flow type of personality. I don’t research things to a serious extent like I need to, I just follow my heart. I need to begin looking for internships and networking with art companies, galleries, other artists, ect.

I have no desire whatsoever to become an art teacher. I dream of one day working for an art company and selling my artwork on the side, eventually becoming a well-known artist. That would be AMAZING!

I love art so much and I know I have the capability of making it big one day. I just need to trust in myself and work hard to achieve the things I want.

Here’s my latest drawing I did in my free time:

11 comments:

  1. I've had the opportunity to interact with a large number of individuals with BFAs and MFAs (in the visual arts and other disciplines). A BFA in visual arts can put you in a position to do a lot of things, but it's not necessarily easy. Most of people I dealt with who were successful got where they were because they were passionate about their art (aside from actually having talent), worked hard, make sacrifices, and hustled. Build a diverse portfolio, sell yourself, don't lose sight of your passion/goal and you'll go far. Good luck man.

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  2. I have mixed feelings about majors in the arts and humanities. While it's awesome to know what you love to do and to pursue it, it's true that the path to success can be a lot tougher and more competitive in those fields. Could you maybe do a minor (or even double major) that could give you a Plan B to fall back on just in case? It sounds like you know what you're getting into, which is good. RJ's advice sounds great. I know nothing about art, but it seems like a field that would require you to network a lot to get your work out there.

    BTW that's a really cool drawing!

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  3. AGD: I agree that having a minor or being a double major, something that would complement your arts degree will improve your chances. Perhaps you can blend your artistic ability with something technology related, things like web design or graphic arts where you used digital mediums in addition to the standard arts stuff.

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  4. I'm not going to tell you to worry about 'getting a job' because that's bullshit anyway and NOBODY can get a job in anything these days - just make sure that you are okay with a vaguer path than most.

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  5. When I decided to change from a degree in architecture to one in landscaping after 2 years of study(we don't have majors/minors to choose over here, you pick a degree and the whole program of classes to follow is set, but I'm digressing) people called me mad to do it. They always came up with that same question of which job to do after it, and they scared me with being unemployed. Because, like an artist, to people it seems the only thing you can do is being a self-emloyed landscaper/artist/whatever creative job, which is very hard do to without having a big name.
    Well I haven't been unemployed for one day. By going for it, showing you're serious with your goals and making a good impression on teachers, mentors and juries, and believing in yourself, you can make it. Because I was the first of my year (while actually doing freshman and sophomore at once because I could drop some classes I already followed before, but it was still a real tough program with way too much credits), I could choose first where I would go as a trainee, and I could start working there immediately after.
    None of my former classmates is unemployed, altough most of them do not work as a landscaper but something related to it. But if I am honest, most of them weren't as motivated/talented as I was too.
    So go for it or drop it... and good luck!

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  6. That's a fairly awesome illustration!

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  7. I think it comes down to passion vs money. I know many people who are happy following their passions even if it doesn't pay well. I also know those who entered fields based on passion but got tired of no money. It will work as long as you are happy following your passion and accept the good and bad. This is your life isn't it??

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  8. I switched from being Business Administration to Sociology, and like you, got a lot of people asking what I could do with that. I didn't really know either, so I started with my career centre at school. They guided me with resources that helped me start the research into a future career and had options like volunteer opportunities that could help me make connections later on.

    I agree with those talking about a minor/double major. Another option down the road, if you have the time and resources, may be to go back to school, whether it be a technical school or community college and upgrade your credentials if need be.

    But in the end, it is what you make it...if this is something you're REALLY passionate about, then you'll be fine. Good luck man.

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  9. don't worry about getting a job at this point. 1) There's no job market to begin with; 2) most of the highest achieving people in the 'business' world did not do their first degrees in business, etc. but in the humanities (postgrad degrees are another thing); 3) you're more likely to succeed where you are committed to what you are doing. The whole 'the humanities aren't useful' line is bs. Besides which, fuck usefulness.

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  10. You're not going to be able to find a job regardless of your major, so might as well study what you love :)

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